 Protestors attack govt building in Gansu
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-19 07:44 A group of about 1,000 people attacked the Longnan government office, Gansu province, on Monday night, smashing cars, and clashing with police and officials in a riot sparked by a property dispute, it said yesterday. More than 30 people seeking redress for the loss of their homes and land were joined by hundreds of others outside a petitions office in Longnan, the city government said in a statement on its website. The petitioners "were provoked by a small minority of people with ulterior motives. (Office) staff and police were beaten, and more than 60 were injured," the notice said. After repeated attempts at mediation failed, police "had no option but to use force to disperse the leaders of the rioting criminals" it said. But they were "met with a hail of rocks, bricks and flower pots, and attacked by people with iron bars, axes and hoes." Rioters later charged into the compound, smashing windows and looting office equipment in two buildings, and torching cars, it said. Some hijacked a fire truck, but were stopped by police, it said. Law enforcement authorities took firm measures to bring the situation "under control", it said, without providing details. Agencies (China Daily 11/19/2008 page3) |
